Towing machine



Dec. 1, 1942. R. c. LAMoNb TOWING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1 1939 I 4Sheets-Sheet l U M i R. C. LAMOND Dec. l, 1942.

TOWING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 maid m W .M n M 7 5%w C m W1; a f z r 9 R. C. LAMOND TOWING MACHINE Dec 1, 1942,

Filed Aug. 1, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 fibek Clam I Patented Dec. 1, 1942FFECE TOWING MACHINE Robert C. Lamond, Phi

ladelphia, Pa., assignor to American Engineering Company, Philadelphia,Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 1, 1939, SerialNo. 287,723 7 Claims. (Cl. 254-173) This invention relates to towingmachines, and more particularly to control devices associated with suchmachines.

One object of the present invention is to provide in a towing machine acontrol mechanism which functions to maintain the cable taut and at apredetermined length under all conditions of operation.

A more specific object is to provide a novel and highly efficient,automatically operable control mechanism for the winch of the towingmachine which operates to maintain the towing cable taut by causing saidwinch to wind in cable when slack occurs therein, and to pay out cablewhen abnormal loads are imposed thereon, and also under certainconditions to so control the operation of said winch that apredetermined length of cable is maintained between the towing machineand the object towed.

Other and further objects will become apparent as the description of theinvention progresses.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved towing machine showingthe position that it assumes on the deck of a vessel.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the control apparatuscomprising the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of Fig. 3.

taken substantially Fig. 6 is an end view partly in section of a pumpand control mechanism therefor, forming a portion of the controlmechanism comprising the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a partially diagrammatic View of the entire apparatusincluding a wiring diagram of the electrical connections, certain of theparts being shown in section to more clearly illustrate the structurethereof.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the screw shaft and traveling nut mechanism foroperating certain of the switches of the control mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view partly in section an alternative controlmechanism, and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view with parts thereof shown in section of afurther embodiment of the present invention.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 7 0f the gs, the numeral lindicates generally the entire towing mechanism including a winch, and acontrol mechanism therefor indicated generally at 3. Winch 2 comprises aframe structure including a base member 4 supported on deck D and sideframes 5 and 5'. Suitably mounted on base member 3 is an electric motor6 having a pinion 7 mounted onthe armature shaft thereof which mesheswith a large gear 8. Gear 8 is secured to one end of a shaft 9, suitablymounted in a bearing I0 provided in side frame 5. The outer end of shaft9 has secured thereto a gear H which meshes with 'a large gear l2,secured to the outer end of a shaft l3 journaled in a second bearing l4also provided in side frame 5. The other end of shaft l3 has securedthereto an enlarged sleeve to which is secured a gear I? which mesheswith a large gear It secured to one end of a winding drum [9. The outerend of sleeve I5 has formed thereon a clutch element 263 adapted toengage a complementary clutch member 2!, keyed to a shaft 22, rotatablymounted in bearings 23 and 24. A lever 25 is provided to shift clutchelement 2i into engagement with element 29 when it is desired to employthe drum head 26 provided at the outer end of shaft 22.

Winding drum I9 is secured to a shaft 21 mounted in bearings 28 and 29.Any suitable gearing 33 is provided between shaft 21 and a reversiblescrew shaft 3!, whereby the latter is driven by shaft 27. A cable 32 iswound on drum i9 and extends through a guide block 33 making threadedengagement with, and actuated by shaft 3|. Block 33 is held againstrotary movement by a pair of guide rods 34 secured to and extendingbetween side frames 5 and 5. After passing through guide block 33 cable32 extends between spaced pairs of guide pulleys 35 and 36, and the freeend thereof may be rigidly secured to the object to be towed. The cable32 is engaged intermediate pulleys 35 and 36 by a flange pulley 38,which forms a portion of the control apparatus comprising the presentinvention.

Pulley 38, as will be observed upon reference to Figs. 3 to 5, extendsbetween the arms 39 and to of a bifurcated member 4|, and is rotatablymounted upon a pintle 42. Pintle 42 extends through an aperture providedin a sliding block 53 operating in a rectangular slot 44 provided nearthe outer end of arm 39, and the'upper end thereof makes threadedengagement with a second sliding block Q5 operating in a rectangularslot '53 provided near the outer endof arm 40. Member 4! has securedthereto one end a slidable rod 47 mounted for reciprocation in a bushingbracket 49, secured to the raised deck 50 of the vessel by bolts 5|.The.other end of rod 41 makes threaded engagement with a piston 52operating in a cylinder 53 of a fluid motor 54. The left hand end plate55 (Figs. 3 and 4) of motor 54 has provided therein a port 56 and apassage 51, which enters the left hand end of cylinder 53. Port 56 isconnected to a T pipe coupling 58 by piping 59. One end of coupling 58is connected to the discharge side of a variable stroke pump 50 by meansof a pipe 6|. Pump 60 is mounted upon a fluid makeup tank 02 supportedon deck D, and is driven by any suitable mechanism, such as by anelectric motor 03. Fluid is drawn into pump 69 from makeup tank 62through a pipe 64, and is discharged therefrom through the pipe 6 I.

One end of a pipe 65 is connected to the other end of coupling 58 andextends through a suitable packing gland 06 provided in a cylinder 01secured to the upper surface of member 4|. Integral with cylinder 61 isa relatively small fluid motor '68. Motor 68 comprises a piston 69operating in a cylinder I0. A rod II secured to piston 69 extendsthrough a packing gland I2 provided in the end wall I3 of motor 58, andthe outer end thereof makes threaded engagement with the eX- tendedportion 14 of sliding block 45. An opening I5 is provided at the lefthand end (Fig. 3) of the common wall I4 of cylinders 61 and I0, andconsequently any fluid entering cylinder 67 through pipe 65 will flowthrough the opening I5 and 'into the left hand end of cylinder Ill. Thepressure of this fluid on the piston 09 tends to move it, andconsequently sliding blocks 45 and 43, and pulley 38, to the right. Theright hand end of cylinder 53 is connected to makeup tank 62 by means ofa pipe I6, whereby any leakage past piston 52 will drain back to themakeup tank. The pressures to which pistons 52 and 69 of motors 54 and58 are to be subjected may be varied by means of a control mechanismindicated generally by the numeral 11.

This control mechanism is similar in construction and operation to thatshown in Patent No. 2,029,493, and accordingly a detailed descriptionthereof is unnecessary. This control mechanism, as will be observed uponreference particularly to Fig. 6, comprises a piston I8 mounted in acylinder I9 provided at the lower end of bracket casing 80, secured topump 60 in any suitable manner. Piston I8 has provided at the upper endthereof a rack 8| which engages a segmental gear 82 pivotally mounted at83 in the bracket casing 80. Gear segment '82 meshes with a horizontallydisposed rack 84 secured to the outer end of a guide rod 85. Guide rod85 eXtends through an aperture provided in the end wall 86 of the casingof pump 60, and is secured at the inner end thereof to the sliding block87 of said pump. Pump 50 is of a well known construction, and for acomplete description thereof reference may be had to Patent No.1,077,979.

The upper end of rack 8| engages the enlarged portion 88 of a rod 89.The upper end of rod 89 extends through a sleeve 90 which makes threadedengagement with the vertically disposed bore provided in the upper endof the tubular casing 9| of the control mechanism IT. A coil spring 92extends between spring seats 93 and 94, the former of which engaging theupper end of casing 9|, and the lower end of sleeve 90, while the latterengages the upper end of enlarged portion 88 of rod 89. A hand wheel 35is secured to the '48 extending through the central bore of a upper endof sleeve 99. Consequently, to place pump 30 on stroke, hand wheel 95 ismanipulated to compress spring 92 which, through rack 8I, segment 82,and rack 84, effects an adjustment of the sliding block 81 of the pumpto on-stroke position. The lower end of cylinder I9 in which piston I8operates is connected to pipe 6| by a branch pipe 91.. Consequently thepressure in pip 0| will be communicated to the lower end of piston 18,and when this pressure exceeds the pressure of spring 92 piston I8 willmove upwardly to return the pump controls 81 to neutral position throughracks 8|, segmental gear 82, and rack -84, as previously described. Ittherefore is seen that by adjusting the pressure of spring 92 differentpredetermined pressures may be imposed upon pistons 52 and 69 by pump60. To prevent the development of excessive pressures in the system arelief valve 98 is provided. This valve is connected to pipe 6| by apipe 99, and comprises a valve element I00 normally retained upon itsseat by a spring IOI. The tension of spring IOI may be adjusted by a setscrew I02. A branch pipe I03 connects valve 98 to pipe I6, which in turnis connected to makeup tank 62. Accordingly, upon the unseating of valveI00 fluid from pump 60 will bypass to exhaust through pipes 99, I03 andI6.

Electric current is supplied to motors 6 and 53 from a pair of bus barsI05 and I06, which in turn may be connected to any suitable source ofsupply. Switches I01 and I08 may be employed to interrupt the circuitsto motors '6 and 63, respectively, the former being connected to busbars I05 and I05, by conductors I09 and H0, respectively. As shown moreparticularly in Fig. 7, bifurcated member 4| has secured thereto andextending laterally therefrom, a contact plate III which is adapted tomake contact with pairs of contact elements Ill H2 and H3 II3 Portion I4of sliding block 45 has also extending laterally therefrom a contactplate II4 which is adapted to make contact with a third pair of contactelements II5 II5 Contact element II2 is connected to a switch elementII5 of a single pole switch II6 by a conductor III. Switch element I I6normally engages a contact element I I8 which is connected to aconductor II9 by a conductor I20. Conductor H9 is connected at one endto motor 6, at the other end to a pole I2I of a switch I22, whichaffords a manual control for motor 6. Contact elements I I2 and I I3 areconnected in parallel to a conductor I23 by conductors I24 and I25respectively, conductor I23 in turn being connected to the pole I26 ofswitch I01, and a conductor I2I connects conductor I23 to switch I22.Contact elements H3 and II5 are connected by a conductor I28 which inturn is connected to a switch element I29 of a single pole switch I29 bya conductor I30. Switch element I29 is adapted to make'contact with acontact element I3I, which in turn is connected to a conductor I32 by aconductor I33. Conductor I32 is connected at one end to motor 6, and atthe other end to the pole I34 of switch I22. Contact element I I5" isconnected to a switch element I35 of a third single pole switch I36 by aconductor I31. The contact element I38 of switch I38 is also connectedto the conductor I33 by a conductor I39. The other pole I of switch 501is connected to motor 6 by a conductor I4I, thus completing the circuit.

Switch I22 comprises a contact arm I42 which, when moved into engagementwith pole l2I. causes-operation of motor 6 in such a direction as tocause drum II! to pay out cable, and when moved into engagement withpole I34 the motor operates in the reverse direction to cause the drumto wind in cable.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 7, shaft 21 has 'slidably mountedthereon a clutch element I43 which is adapted to engage a complementaryclutch element I44, secured to a shaft I45 journaled in bearings I45 andI41. The portion I48 of shaft I45 disposed between bearings I45 and I41is provided with screw threads, and has mounted thereon a traveling nutI49. When traveling nut I 49 approaches its limit of movement towardbearing HIS it is adapted to engage the arm I59 of switch element H6,and thereby open switch II S Now should motor be operated in the reversedirection, traveling nut will move in the reverse direction and engagearm I5I! to close switch I IS Continued movement of traveling nut I49toward bearing I47 will first bring it into engagement with arm I5I ofswitch element I29 to open switch I29. Continued movement of travelingnut I 59, as will appear more fully hereinafter, causes opening ofswitch I by engagement of said nut with arm I52 of switch element I35.Now upon a reverse movement of nut I49 it will first engage arm I52 ofelement I35 to close switch I 35 and upon continuedmovement thereof itwill engage arm I5I of element I3! to close switch I29 Clutch elementI43 may be moved into or out of engagement with element I 44 by means ofa shifting lever I53.

Traveling nut I59 may be positioned with respect to switches II5 I29 andI36 by manipulation of clutch element I 33 into 01' out of engagementwith element I44 during operation of winch 2 preliminarly to the towingof an object, or by turning the nut manually. Referring to Figs. 8 and9, the lower end of nut I49 has provided thereon a depending portion I54having an open rectangular slot I55 for receiving a rod I55. The ends ofrod I55 extend into aligned vertical slots I5? provided beneath bearingsI 46 and I 47. Rod I55 may be heldin the position shown in Figs. 8 and Sby stud bolts I53. Thus by loosening bolts I 58 rod I55 will drop freeof slot I55, and nut I49 may now be turned manually until the desiredposition on shaft I48 is reached. Rod I55 is then moved upward intoengagement with slot I55 toprevent rotary movement of nut I49 duringoperating periods of the machine.

7 From the foregoing description it is seen that to operate the devicethe cable 32 is attached to the vessel or object to be towed. Thecontact arm 542 of switch I22 is moved into engagement with pole I25,thereby causing motor 5 to so operatewinding drum I9 as to pay outcable. This operation is continued until the desired length of cablehasbeen paid out. During this operation the position of traveling nut I 49may be properl set by manipulation of clutch element I43, into or out ofengagement with clutch element Iii-i. Proper adjustment of nut I49 mayalso be made manually as just described. When the roper length of cablehas been paid out clutch elements I53 and I54 are engaged so that anyfurther movement of drum I 9 will now cause corresponding movement oftraveling nut M5. To insure the maintenance length of cable between thethe object being towed, nut I59 is positioned between switches III; andI 29 adjacent arm I5i of switch element I29. Pump 59 is now placed onstroke by manipulation of hand wheel 95.

of the predetermined towing machine and iii A load sufilcient to urgement with elements II2 is relieved on the cable 32,

The spring IN of relief valve 98 is also adjusted so that the fluiddischarging into pipe (II from pump 6!] will by-pass to exhaust when apredetermined pressure has been reached. Upon adjustment of pump 60 inthis manner fluid from said pump now discharges into pipe BI and causesoperation of piston 52 outward to move pulley 38 into engagement withcable 32; Piston 69 also has a tendency to move outwardly. However, itwill be noted that piston 69' isrelatively small as compared with cable3.2 is comparatively taut it will move piston 59 to the position shownin Fig. '7'. Piston 52, however, being relatively large in diameter willmove to fully operated position. When this occurs contact plate IIIprovided on member 4! engages elements 3 and II3 thereby completing thecircuit to motor 6 and causing drum I9 to wind in cable. As shown inFig. 7, current now flows from bus III}, switch I01, conductors I23 andI25, contact element 31*, plate I l I, contact element'l I 3 conductorI39, switch I 29*, conductor I 33 and conductor I32. The currentpassing-through motor 5 is returned to the bus bar I05 through conductorI4I, switch I I1! and conductor I99. Drum I9 continues to wind in cableuntil traveling nut I49 engages arm I5I of switch element I29, therebyinterrupting the circuit to motor '6. The amount of cable wound in isrelatively small since it will be remembered that traveling nut I49 waspositioned immediately adjacent arm I5I of switch I29 The parts will nowremain in this position during normal towing operation.

Should the sea be relatively rough so as to impose uneven loads on thecable, the cable should be paid out to prevent snapping thereof underheav loads, and wound inagain as soon as the load is reduced. Thus whena heavier than normal load is imposed on the cable element 4| will moveinwardly thereby breaking contact between plate I I I and elements I I3and I I3 causing the fluid behind piston 52 to discharge to exhaustthrough relief valve 98. Contact plate III will now be brought intoengagement with contact elements .Il2 and. 2 thereby completing thecircuit'to motor 6 through switch IIG thereby causing the motor 6 toactuate drum I9 so as to pay out cable. This will continue until theload at which time piston 52 will again urge member 4| and pulley 3.8outwardly, :thereby breaking contact with elements H2 and I I2, andagain making contact with elements I-I3 H3 This will cause motor 5 tooperate drum I9 towind in cable again as previously described, untiltraveling nut I49 again engages arm I5I when the circuit to motor 6 isinterrupted. When the circuit is so interrupted the cable is at thedesired. predetermined length.

It is. to be noted that during operation of the device contact plate IIIengages either contact elements 3 3 or elements 2 H2 During. the towingoperation, should slack occur in the cable after switch I29 has beenopened by unit I49, piston, 69 will urge contact plate I I4 intoengagement. with contact elements 5 and H5" thereby reestablishing the.circuit to motor 6 and causing the latter to. operate drum I9 tocontinue to wind in. cable, This will continue until the slack is takenup and the normal load reestablished,at which time cable 32 urges pulley38, andv consequently contact plate I I4, inwardly, thereby interruptingthe circuit to the motor 6.

plate III I into engageand' 2 will efiect a reversal of motor 6 andcause nut I49 to travel in piston 52, and consequently if.

bar I96 through conductor the reverse direction. Nut I49 will now engagearm I5I and again close switch I29 In this manner cable 32 is maintainedtaut throughout the operation of the device and consequently snapping ofthe cable'due to sudden loads is practically eliminated.

Should slack continue to occur in'the cable, drum I9 would continue towind it in until traveling nut I49 engages the arm. I52 of limit switchI36, thereby opening the latter and interrupting the circuit to motor 6.The same is true in case the motor should actuate drum I9 to continupaying out cable. This would, continue until switch IIIi is opened bythe engagement of arm I50 and traveling nut I49, when the motor willagain be brought to rest. This will prevent an undue quantity of cablefrom being unwound from drum I9.

It is apparent that switches II6 I29 and I36 may also be adjusted withrespect to traveling nut I49, if desired.

From the foregoing description it is seen that a flexible and highlyeflicient towing mechanism has been provided. The electrical controlsystem functions not only to prevent snapping of the cable by permittingthe winding drum to pay out cable when heavy loads occur, but undercertain conditions to wind in the cable so paid out as soon as the loadagain assumes a normal condition. Limit switches are also provided toprevent overtravel of drum I9 in either direction.

Fig. 10 illustrates a slightly modified embodiment of the inventionwherein spring means are employed instead of operation of the towingmachine. In this construction also it will be observed that a bifurcatedmember 4I carries a flanged pulley 36' which engages the cable 32.Pulley 38 is mounted in a pair of sliding blocks, the upper slidingblock of which being shown. The extended portion 14 of sliding block 45has secured thereto a contact plate H4, which is adapted to engagecontact elements 5* and II5 Secured to member M is a cylinder I having apiston I6I operating therein, the upper end of the rod I62 of piston IBIbeing in engagement with the portion 14' of sliding block 45". Extendingbetween piston I6I and a spring seat I63 is a coil spring I64. end wallof casing I60 and operating against spring seat I63 is provided toadjust the pressure of spring I64. Thus when spring I64 is placed undercompression it tends to urge piston I6I, and consequently sliding block45' and pulley 38' outwardly. By this movement of sliding block 45contact plate 4' is also brought into engagement with contact elements II5 and "5 Bifurcated member 4| has secured to one end thereof a rod I66which extends through the cylindrical bore I61 provided at one end of abracket I68. The other end of rod I66 has secured thereto a piston I69which operates in an open cylinder I10 provided at the other end ofbracket I68. A relatively small rod "I is secured to the other end ofpiston I69 and extends through an enlarged aperture I12 providedcentrally of a crosshead I13. Crosshead I13 is supported on a pair ofguide rods I14 secured to and extending outwardly from the end of fluidmotors to control the A set screw I extending through the bracket I68,arid lock nuts I15 secured to the end of rods I14 retain crosshead I13in position. A coil spring I16 encircles rod HI and extends betweenpiston I69 and the inner surface of crosshead I13. A pair of nuts I11making threaded engagement with the end of rod IN is provided to adjustthe pressure of spring I16.

Secured to and extending laterally from bifurcated member 4| is acontact plate III which when moved upwardly is adapted to engage contactelements I I3, I I3 and when moved downwardly is adapted to engagecontact elements H2 and II2'. The electrical connections associated withcontact elements H2 II2 H3", ll3 and II5*-', II5 are identical withthose shown in Fig. 7, and accordingly a description thereof will not berepeated.

Upon inspection of the construction shown in Fig. 10 it will be observedthat spring I64 is relatively small, and accordingly when cable 32 istaut it will urge pulley 38', and consequently sliding block 45'inwardly, thereby breaking contact between plate H4 and elements H5 5Spring I64, however, will urge contact plate H4 into engagement withelements H5 and IIS" when slack occurs in the cable, thereby completingthe circuit to the winch operating motor (not shown) to cause the sameto wind in cable, as previously described. Spring I16, however, beingrelatively strong will urge member 4 I outwardly and maintain contactbetween plate III and elements H3 and II3 causing the motor to operatethe winding drum to wind in cable until the circuit is interrupted bythe traveling nut, as previously described. On the other hand, when anundue load is imposed upon cable 32 member 4| is urged downwardlyagainst the pressure of spring I16 bringing plate III' into engagementwith elements H2 H2 thereby conditioning the winch operating motor toactuate the winding drum in the reverse direction to pay out cable untilthis load is again relieved, when spring I16 urges plate I I I' intoengagement with elements H3 and I I3'. These operations are repeatedperiodically during operation of the device.

Fig. 11 illustrates a further embodiment of the present inventionwherein the small piston 69, contact plate H4, contact elements H5 andH5 as well as the connections between these elements and the switchesassociated with the towing winch, shown more particularly in theembodiment illustrated in Fig. 7, are dispensed with. In theconstruction also a pulley 38" engages a cable 32" and is mounted foroperation in a bifurcated member 4I". Bifurcated member 4| is actuatedby a piston 52" operating in the cylinder 53" of a fluid motor 54".Motor 54" is operated in one direction by a pump (not shown), the fluidtherefrom being delivered to said motor by a pipe 6|. The upper end ofcylinder 53" is connected to exhaust by a pipe 16", thereby providing adrain for any fluid leaking past piston 52". A relief valve 98", similarto the relief valve 98, is connected to pipe 6|", whereby fluiddelivered to piston 52 may bypass to exhaust in the event the pressurein the system exceeds a predetermined value.

Bifurcated member 4 I has extending laterally therefrom a contact plateIII" which when moved downwardly by operation of cable 32" is adapted toengage contact elements H2 l IZ and when said plate is moved upwardly bythe action of piston 52 it engages contact elements I I6 and 9 I3 Theconnections between these contact elements and the switches and motormeans associated with the towing winch (not shown) are identical withthose shown in Fig. '1,

303,847 and accordingly a description thereof need not be load isimposed upon cable 32" bifurcated'element 4|" is moved downwardly,bringing plate Ill" into engagement with contact elements HE l l2thereby causing the winch operating motor to actuate the winding drum soas to pay out cable. This continues imtil a normal load is establishedwhereupon piston 52 again actuates bifurcated member 4|" upwardly,causing plate Ill" ll3 This operation is repeated several times during atowing operation, especially when rough weather is encountered at sea.

While the embodiments herein described are admirably adapted to fulfillthe objectsprimarily stated, it is to be understood that the inventionis not to be limited thereto, since it may be embodied in other forms,all coming within the scope of claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a towing device, the combination of a winch including a cablewinding drum and an electric motor for actuating said drum to wind in orpay out cable, an electric circuit for operating said motor, manuallyoperable switch means in said circuit for controlling the operation ofsaid motor, an automatic mechanism, said automatic mechanism including aplurality of switches in said circuit, movable means in engagement withsaid cable for closing one of said plurality of switches to cause saiddrum to wind incable when said movable means is actuated in onedirection, adjustable means for actuating said movable means against thepressure exerted thereon by said cable, said movable means beingactuated in the reverse direction by said cable to efiect closing of asecond of said plurality of switches to reverse said motor therebycausing said drum to pay out cable when the pressure imposed on saidmovable means by said cable exceeds that imposed thereon by saidadjustable means, a normally closed control switch in said circuit,means operated by said drum for opening said last mentioned switch whena predetermined length of cable eX- tends between said drum and theobject in tow, and a second movable means engaging said cable forclosing a third of said plurality of switches to cause said motor toactuate said drum to wind in cable when undue slack occurs therein.

2. In a towing device, the combination of a winch including a cablewinding drum, and an electric motor for actuating said drum to wind inor pay out cable, an electric circuit for operating said motor, manuallyoperable switch means in said circuit for controlling the operation ofsaid motor, an automatic mechanism, said automatic mechanism including aplurality of switches in said circuit, movable means in engagement withsaid cable for closing one of said plurality of switches to cause saiddrum to wind in cable when said movable means is actuated in onedirection, adjustable means for actuating said movable means against thepressure exerted thereon by said cable, said movable means beingactuated in the reverse direction by said cable to effect to againengage contact elements I I3 and closing of a second of said pluralityof switches to reverse said motor therebyv causing said drum to pay outcable when the pressure imposed on said movable means by said cableexceeds that imposed thereon by said adjustable means, a normally closedcontrol switch in said circuit, means operated by said drum for openingsaid last mentioned switch when a predetermined length of cable extendsbetween said drum and the object in tow, a second movable means engagingsaid cable-for closing a third of said plu= rality of switchesto causesaid motor to actuate said drum to wind in cable when undue slack occurstherein, and a pair of limit switches in said circuit for stopping saidmotor to prevent overtravel of said drum in either direction.

3. In a towing device, the combination of a winch including a cablewinding drum, and an electric motor for actuating said drum to wind inor pay out cable, an electric circuit for operating said motor, manuallyoperable switch means in said circuit for controlling the operation ofsaid motor, an automatic mechanism, said automatic mechanism comprisinga plurality of switches in said circuit, movable means in engagementwith said cable for closing one of said plurality of switches to causesaid drum to wind in cable when said movable means is actuated in onedirection, fluid motor means for actuating said movable means againstthe pressure exerted thereon by said cable, said movable means beingactuated in the reverse direction by said cable to eirect closing of asecond of said plurality of switches to reverse said motor therebycausing said drum to pay out cable when the pressure imposed on saidmovable means by said cable exceeds that imposed thereon by said fluidmotor means, a normally closed control switch in said circuit, meansoperated by said drum for opening said last mentioned switch when apredetermined length of cable extends between said drum and the objectin tow, a pump for actuating said fluid motor, and adjustable controlmeans for said pump whereby the pressure developed thereby may bevaried.

4. In a towing device, the combination of a winch including a cablewinding drum, and an electric motor for actuating said drum to wind inor pay out cable, an electric circuit for operating said motor, manuallyoperable switch means in said circuit for controlling the operation ofsaid motor, an automatic mechanism, said automatic mechanism comprisinga. plurality of switches in said circuit, movable means in engagementwith said cable for closing one of said plurality of switches to causesaid drum to wind in cable when said movable means is actuated in onedirection, fluid motor means for actuating said movable means againstthe pressure exerted thereon by said cable, said movable means beingactuated in the reverse direction by said cable to efiect closing of asecond of said plurality of switches to reverse said motor therebycausing said drum to pay out cable when the pressure imposed on saidmovable means by said cable exceeds that imposed thereon by said fluidmotor means, a normally closed control switch in said circuit, meansoperated by said drum for opening said last mentioned switch when apredetermined length of cable extends between said drum and the objectin tow, a second movable means engaging said cable for closing a thirdof said plurality of switches when undue slack occurs in said cable tocause said motor to operate said drum to wind in cable, a second fluidmotor means for actuating said second movable 'tion of said motor, anautomatic mechanism, said automatic mechanism comprising a plurality ofswitches in said circuit, movable means in engagement with said cablefor normally closing one of "said switches to cause said winch to windin cable, a control switch in said circuit, means operated by said drumfor opening said control switch when a predetermined length of cable"extends between said drum and the object in tow,

resilient means for actuating said movable means into engagement withthe said one of said plurality of switches, means for adjusting thepressure of said resilient means, said movable means being adapted toclose a second of said plurality of switches when the load imposedthereon by said cable is sufiicient to overcome the pressure of saidresilient means thereby causing said winch to pay out cable, a secondmovable means engaging said cable and mounted adjacent said firstmentioned movable means for closing a third of said plurality ofswitches when undue slack occurs in said cable to cause said motor tooperate said drum to wind in cable, and adjustable resilient means foractuating said second movable means to efiect closing of said thirdswitch.

6. A towing device, comprising a winch including a cable winding drum, amotor for operating said drum to wind in and pay out cable, an electriccircuit connected to said motor, manually operable switch means in saidcircuit for controlling the operation of said motor, automatic controlmeans for said motor, said automatic control means comprising a,plurality of switches in said circuit, movable means adapted foractuation by said cable in one direction to close one of said pluralityof switches to condition said motor to operate said drum to pay outcable and thereby reduce the load on saidcable, adjustable power meansfor actuating said movable means against the pressure exerted thereon bysaid cable to effect closing of a second of said plurality of switchesto cause a reverse operation of said motor and drum whereby the latterwinds in cable to take up the slack therein, a control switch in saidcircuit, means actuated by said drum for operating said last mentionedswitch, and clutch means for connecting and disconnecting said lastmentioned means from said drum.

7. A towing device, comprising a winch including a cable winding drum, amotor for operating said drum to wind in and pay out cable, an electriccircuit connected to said motor, manually operable switch means in saidcircuit for controlling the operation of said motor, automatic controlmeans for said motor, said automatic control means comprising aplurality of switches in said circuit, movable means adaptedforactuation by said cable in one direction to close one of saidplurality of switches to condition said motor to operate said drum topay out cable and thereby reduce the load on said cable, adjustablepower means for actuating said movable means against the pressureexerted thereon by said cable to effect closing of a second of saidplurality of switches to cause a reverse operation of said motor anddrum, whereby the latter winds in cable to take up the slack therein, a,normally closed control switch in said circuit, means actuated by saiddrum for opening said last mentioned switch when a predetermined lengthof cable extends between said drum and the object in tow, clutch meansfor connecting said last mentioned means to, and disconnecting it fromsaid drum, and a pair of limit switches in said circuit for preventingovertravel of said drum in either direction.

ROBERT C. LAMOND.

